I'll be living in the Bay Area in about a month, and I need to get a car and a place to live.

What car recommendations do y'all have?

Here's my criteria:
- Safe, reliable
- Mid-sized
- Primarily for ~15 mile commute each way, Bay Area traffic
- Not too expensive
- I guess it's a plus if it looks cool
- It'll be my first car, sheeeeeeit

Also, what areas in the Bay Area are nice and affordable to live in? What areas should be avoided?
I'll be working in Mountain View.

Thanks! o/)